A Sydney high school is dealing with a deepfake pornography crisis, which was referred to the police just before the start of the 2025 school year. The alleged creator of the explicit content has not yet been disciplined as students are currently on break and no decision has been made by authorities. Parents have been advised not to contact the student involved and to report any related content to the police, while a document containing evidence is being kept private due to its explicit nature. The Department of Education is providing support to those affected and has referred the matter to both the eSafety Commissioner and the police.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14264719/Sydney-school-student-porn-images-AI.htmlThe Department of Education (DepEd) has organized training sessions for English, science, and mathematics teachers in partnership with Khan Academy and Frontlearners to enhance their skills and improve learning outcomes. The goal is to enable teachers to conduct more effective lessons, leading to better academic performance that meets international standards.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/09/campus-press/deped-to-train-english-science-math-teachers/2033578In Michigan, the number of teachers leaving their jobs during the pandemic led to a decline in teacher enrollment in preparation programs. However, this trend was reversed with a 56% increase in enrollment from 2016-17 to 2021-22, according to the Michigan Department of Education. Ryan Gildersleeve, dean of Eastern Michigan University's College of Education, attributes this growth to the "Grow Your Own" program, which taps into existing classroom expertise and provides a free pathway for individuals to become certified teachers. To further address teacher shortages, Gildersleeve suggests that the state should make college more affordable for future teachers and provide support for local schools to pay them. He also emphasizes the need for collaboration between state officials, higher education institutions, and K-12 schools to develop effective solutions.
https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/01/some-michigan-school-districts-say-a-prayer-to-fill-teacher-openings.htmlThe Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate on science education during a ceremony at the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS). Education Secretary Sonny Angara and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. emphasized the importance of working together to advance science education and develop future scientists and innovators.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/01/07/tmt-newswire/deped-dost-team-up-to-strengthen-science-education-and-innovation/2031446The US Department of Justice (DOJ) spent over $100 million on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives over the last four years. The funds were allocated towards various projects, including restorative practices, social emotional learning, and certification for consultants who promote concepts such as critical race theory. Specific examples include a nearly $2 million grant to the Minnesota Department of Education to create safe learning environments that incorporate anti-racism and anti-oppression practices, and a nearly $1 million grant to New Jersey's Ocean County to address violence by equating teasing with oppression. The DOJ also funded its STOP School Violence Program, which aimed to improve school climate by shifting from disciplinary actions to social emotional learning.
https://nypost.com/2025/01/02/us-news/doj-spent-over-100-million-on-dei-programs-over-last-4-years/Michigan State University (MSU) is now offering a certification program for students from rural communities who plan to teach in those areas after graduation. The program, which begins this spring, will allow students graduating in the spring of 2027 to obtain a special certification that can be used as an option or applied more broadly as general education teachers. Leslie Rogers from MSU's Department of Education notes that this additional option is intended to support students who want to return to their rural communities and teach there.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/bozeman/msus-education-department-expands-program-for-special-education-teachers/article_932b53ca-c91d-11ef-bb30-6f7685c66d14.htmlPresident-elect Donald Trump plans to close the Department of Education in Washington D.C. as part of his administration's overhaul of the government. The department is responsible for overseeing US schools and providing funding and support to educational institutions. If closed, it is unclear what will happen to its responsibilities, but a video report by the National News Desk provides more information on the potential implications.
https://krcgtv.com/news/nation-world/how-will-trumps-plan-for-department-of-education-affect-us-schools-government-overhaul-washington-doge#The California Department of Education will issue guidelines by January 1, 2026, for local educational agencies (LEAs) to develop and regularly update homework policies for students in transitional kindergarten through 12th grade. The new law aims to make homework more deliberate and supportive of student well-being, rather than abolishing it entirely. Some educators and parents are concerned that the change may undermine academic standards, but supporters argue that it will help promote a healthier balance between schoolwork and personal life.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/health/california-enacts-new-law-to-reduce-homework-burden-1/The 2024-2025 Philippine VEX Robotics competition, hosted by Seameo Innotech and presented by Hytec Power Inc., VEX Robotics, and HPI Cybertech Institute, kicked off at the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Regional Center for Innovation and Technology in Quezon City on November 21, 2024. The event brought together young innovators from elementary and junior high schools across the country to showcase their creativity and problem-solving skills in robotics with the support of the Department of Education (DepEd).
https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/11/25/campus-press/seameo-innotech-hosts-2024-2025-ph-vex-robotics-competition/2010170